BACKGROUND The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a new regional anaesthesia technique that provides analgesia after abdominal surgery. It involves injection of local anaesthetic into the plane between the transversus abdominis and the internal oblique muscles. The TAP block can be performed using a landmark technique through the lumbar triangle or with ultrasound guidance. The goal of ...

BACKGROUND To evaluate the analgesic efficacy on defined areas of the abdomen and back after ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block using 0.25% levobupivacaine 0.5 mL/kg. METHODS Twenty patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, between 20 and 60 years of age with operative time <1 hour, received subcostal TAP block using 0.25% levobupivacaine 0.5 ...

The lifelong infection by varicelloviruses is characterized by a fine balance between the host immune response and immune evasion strategies used by these viruses. Virus-derived peptides are presented to cytotoxic T lymphocytes by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. The transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) transports the peptides from the cytosol into the e...

Detrimental effects of poorly controlled acute pain after abdominal surgery range from patient suffering, distress, respiratory complications, delirium, myocardial ischaemia, prolonged hospital stay and an increased likelihood of chronic pain. Traditionally, patients undergoing major abdominal surgery have received systemic drugs, such as opioids, ketamine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ...

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a severe neuropathic pain syndrome. The treatment of PHN is complex and refractory in some patients. We present two cases with refractory anterior abdominal wall pain due to PHN that were successfully treated with transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block. The TAP block seems to be an alternative for patients with PHN who suffer from anterior abdominal wall pain ac...

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to determine whether transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block reduces postoperative pain when compared with trocar site infiltration of bupivacaine in gynecological laparoscopy. STUDY DESIGN This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial using patients as their own controls. Women undergoing gynecologic laparoscopy using a 4-port symm...

Background: Poorly controlled pain after abdominal surgery is associated with patient suffering and prolonged hospital stay. The increasing use of Transverse abdominis plan block (TAP), as a form of pain relief after abdominal surgery warrants evaluation of its effectiveness as an adjunctive technique to routine care and, when compared with other analgesic techniques. This observational study e...

This case report demonstrates the utility and safety of ultrasound transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in a paediatric patient suffering from Menkes disease. Anaesthetists, and particularly paediatric and neonatal anaesthetists, have to make a careful assessment of these patients, who are subjected to frequent surgeries, despite their tender years. These operations are often necessary in or...